An over view of effects of information technology and telecommunications on environment and suggestions to reduce harmful effects

1. IMPACT OF
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
ON ENVIRONMENT
• K. Sai Malleswar
• Kshitiz Sinha
• Kumar Harshit
• L. Deepak

2. Topic
• Information technology (IT) is the acquisition,
processing, storage and dissemination of vocal,
pictorial, textual and numerical information by
a microelectronics-based combination
of computing and telecommunications.
• Having both positive and negative effects on
environment.
• What can be done to maximize POSITIVE aspects
and minimize the NEGATIVES?

3. positive aspects
of INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY for
Environment

4. + aspects of IT
1) Reduction in consumption of paper:
i) Use of digital database
ii) Uses of e-books
iii) Less letters more calls, SMSs
and e-mails
iv) Less greeting cards more
online and text wishes
2) Reduction of use of writing and
printing inks
3)Reduction in transportation:
i)data transfer through e-mails,
FAX, telephones and cell phones
ii)shopping through e-marts
iii) banking through e-banking
and ATMs.
iv) use of TELEMEDICINE.

5. + aspects of IT
4) compact space, reduction in
cutting of trees
5) Monitering and controlling
changes in the Earth’s
environment through satellites
6) Spreading awareness
regarding environment through
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
using television, internet,
radio channels and
messages.

6. negative aspects of
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

7. 21st century
• Information age or computer age
• Information technology
• Telecommunications
• 77% of world population owns mobile phones
• 4-5 % of world population owns PCs

8. Computers
• Every single computer requires about 1.8
tonnes of chemicals, fossil fuels and water
for its manufacture.
• Emission of about 0.1 tonne of carbon
dioxide in a year.
• 2 per cent of world's total carbon dioxide
emissions
• Global warming
• Dumping of old computers in landfills
• Soil pollution

9. Electronic and electrical devices in IT

10. E- Waste from IT
>>Discarded electronic or electrical devices or their parts
Such as
Discarded Computers
Televisions
Monitors
Laptops
Cell Phones
VCRs
Stereos
Copiers
Fax machines

11. Dangerous elements in E-waste from IT
 The cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which contain significant
amounts of lead.
 Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are illuminated by
mercury-filled panels.
 Circuitry contain chromium, copper, and lead that
exceed regulatory limits.
 The batteries contain such as lead, nickel, cadmium,
silver, lithium, and other dangerous metals.

12. Mobile phones and cell towers

13. SAR LEVELS

14. SAR VALUES OF SOME MOBILES

15. Space Debris of Communication satellites

16. Mobile radiation:
Effects on environment
Farm animals -
Dairy cows –
•Decreased milk production
•spontaneous abortions
• reproductive problems
•general declines in overall health.
•Sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits living near base
stations affected.

17. Mobile radiation:
Effects on environment
Birds –
• Interfere with navigation,
reproduction, thin shells.
• London - 75% fall sparrow
population.
• Fall in Pigeons, swans, white stork,
rock dove
•Biological indicators to detect
alterations in our ecosystem

18. Mobile radiation: Effects
on environment
Honey bees
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD):
• Abrupt disappearance of bees.
• Cannot find their way back to hive due
disruption in intercellular communication.
CCD has hit –
US (up to 70 %), England (54% fall), Germany,
Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Scotland, Wales,
Kerala etc

19. MANAGEMENT & CONTROL
• INSTITUTIONS / INDUSTRIES FOR WASTE
DISPOSAL
• GOVT. INITIATIVE
• INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT

20. INSTITUTIONS & INDUSTRIES
Role:
• The IT related industries (esp. the manufacturing
ones) should reduce the use of toxic substances in
products.
• Recycling plants and collection centers should be
set up .
Do not DESIGN TO Dump !
Instead, DESIGN TO LAST !!!

21. Government initiative
• The GOI has passed strict rules in 2010 for e-waste
management and disposal
• Has taken a strong stand in international forum.
• More initiatives are expected from GOI.

22. INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT

23. Old Computers?
Want to Dump !!!
Option 1: If your computers are in working condition, you can
donate them to a school or an organization working in the field of
education.
Option 2: If your computers are out of order, return them back to
the manufacturer.
Option 3: Send them to a recycling facility for proper disposal.

24. Mobile phones: not working , not satisfies, old …
Want To Dump !

25. Want to buy a gadget ?
-- Be a ROHS
compliant customer.
ROHS :Restriction Of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in
electrical and electronic equipment
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
PBB and PBDE are flame retardants used
in several plastics.

26. Buying a new cell phone
Check its SAR level first….

27. Going to buy a new gadget
Do you really need one?
Think
twice, be
wise

28. Bibliography